Let’s be honest: nothing beats the vibe of a New York Knicks game, but sometimes life gets in the way of sitting in front of a TV. Maybe you're stuck on the Major Deegan, or you're just trying to sneakily listen while "working" late. Finding out what radio station is knicks game on shouldn't feel like a scouting mission.
Things changed recently for New York sports fans. If you haven't checked your presets in a while, you might be met with dead air or a completely different format. Here is the breakdown of exactly where to find the orange and blue on your dial right now.
The Big Switch: Where to Find the Knicks in NYC
For years, we were all conditioned to flip to 98.7 FM. That era is over. As of late 2024 and heading into the 2025-26 season, the primary home for New York Knicks radio is 880 ESPN New York (WHSQ-AM).
Wait, 880? Yeah, the old WCBS 880 frequency.
Good Karma Brands took over the signal, and it’s now the go-to spot for the Knicks, Rangers, and Mets. If you’re within the five boroughs, Long Island, or Jersey, this is your strongest bet. The signal is massive. You can usually pick it up clearly even if you're driving well outside the immediate city limits.
Sometimes, because of scheduling conflicts—like when the Rangers and Knicks are playing at the exact same time—the game might get bumped. In those rare "conflict" scenarios, you’ll want to check 1050 AM (WEPN). It’s the secondary station, and while the signal isn't quite as beefy as the 880 blowtorch, it gets the job done.
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Satellite Radio and National Coverage
If you aren't in the Tri-State area, AM radio isn't going to help you much. Static is a vibe, but not for a playoff race.
For those of you across the country, SiriusXM is the answer. They carry every single NBA game, but the channel numbers change based on who is the "home" team.
- SiriusXM NBA Radio (Channel 86): This is the flagship hub. They often host the primary broadcast or the national feed.
- Team Channels (800-900 range): On the SiriusXM app, the Knicks usually have a dedicated channel—often Channel 899—where you can hear the local New York announcers instead of the opposing team's crew.
Trust me, you want the New York feed. Listening to a rival broadcast talk about the Knicks is a special kind of torture.
Who Are You Listening To? The Voices in Your Ears
The radio experience is only as good as the guys behind the mic. Even if you can't see the "Clyde" Frazier suit, the energy has to be there.
Currently, Tyler Murray is the main man for play-by-play on the radio side. He took over the mantle recently and has been killing it. He's got that classic, crisp delivery that makes a random Tuesday night game against the Pistons feel like Game 7.
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Joining him is often Monica McNutt. If you follow the NBA at all, you know Monica. She’s everywhere—ESPN, MSG Network, you name it. Her analysis is sharp, and she doesn't pull punches when the team is playing sloppy. Occasionally, you might hear Alan Hahn or other MSG regulars rotating in, especially during high-stakes matchups.
Can I Just Stream It for Free?
Kinda. But there's a catch.
The ESPN New York App is the official way to stream the local broadcast for free if you are within the New York geographic area. If you try to use it in California, you'll probably get geoblocked because of NBA broadcasting rights.
If you have NBA League Pass (Audio), you can listen to any radio broadcast in the league without blackouts. It’s actually one of the cheapest ways to follow the team if you live out of market—usually just a few bucks a month.
Don't bother with those "free" pirate streams you find on social media. They lag, they're full of pop-ups, and there's nothing worse than hearing a "BANG!" from your neighbor's apartment 30 seconds before it happens on your feed.
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Why Radio Still Rules for Knicks Fans
You might ask, "Why bother with radio in 2026?"
There’s a specific grit to Knicks radio. It’s for the fans who are grinding. It’s for the person closing up a shop in Queens or the fan walking their dog in Central Park. The radio guys describe the game with a level of detail that TV announcers don't need to provide because the camera does the work. When Tyler Murray describes a Jalen Brunson pivot or a Josh Hart hustle play, you can see it in your head.
Plus, the post-game shows on 880 ESPN are where the real "therapy" happens. After a tough loss at the Garden, listening to callers vent on the way home is a New York tradition as old as the subway itself.
Quick Cheat Sheet for Game Night
Keep this in your notes so you aren't scrambling at tip-off:
- Primary Station: 880 AM (ESPN New York).
- Back-up/Conflict Station: 1050 AM.
- Out-of-Market: SiriusXM Channel 86 or the app (Ch. 899).
- Best App: ESPN New York App (Local) or NBA App (Global).
Moving Forward With the Season
If you’re planning to catch the next game, your best move is to download the ESPN New York app now and see if your location is recognized. If you're a car listener, save 880 AM to your first preset. For those using satellite, favorited Channel 86 on your dashboard to save time.
The Knicks are in a window where every game matters. Don't let a bad signal or a frequency change be the reason you miss the next buzzer-beater.